HomeFreeHome Designs Accessible Housing

When Ellen Landau needed her kitchen renovated, she wasn't sure where to turn. Landau and her daughter Emily both suffer from Larsen's Syndrome, an orthopedic disability. Emily is wheelchair bound and Ellen goes back and forth between a walker and a wheelchair. They wanted to make their kitchen more accessible so they could cook independently. HomeFreeHome

Landau contacted HomeFreeHome, a non-profit organization based in Port Washington. HomeFreeHome is an organization of volunteer architects who design barrier free homes that allow people with disabilities to live with greater safety, freedom and dignity, said its executive director and co-founder Laura Montllor.

The organization worked wonders for the Landaus, who live in West Babylon.

"We've lived in our home since 1996," Landau said. "We wanted guidance on how to make the kitchen more accessible. The architect did some drawings and he came up with a standing side and a sitting side. There will be a side that will be accessible for wheelchair use. There will be a sink, cook top and wall-mounted oven all at a wheelchair accessible height. This will enable my daughter to cook independently and I will have less fatigue in the kitchen."

The national organization connects people with disabilities to local volunteer architects who design small scale construction projects such as ramps and accessible kitchens and bathrooms.

"The need is tremendous," Montllor said. According to the US Census Bureau 11.5 million Americans have physical disabilities that make going outside the home difficult or practically impossible.

"People find us, " Montllor said. "I do lectures at independent living centers and senior centers. I show people pictures of beautiful projects to show them that they can adapt their home to meet their needs and add value to their property."

The need on Long Island might be statistically worse due to the larger aging population and older homes, Montllor said.

The organization started with a small group of Long Island architects all in private practice. After an article about the organization was featured in the American Institute of Architects magazine, the nonprofit grew to include 35 architects nationwide.

"We have done projects in Texas, New Jersey and Boston," Montllor said. "And we are doing more projects all over the country."

People don't understand the construction of their house, Montllor said.

"We show them what types of possibilities can happen," she said. "We show them they can put a bathroom on the main level, for example, because the plumbing is in this wall. We tell them we can build a ramp because there's a functional low slope. We give direction on which way to go."

She added: "When there's a family member with a disability there are so many things to deal with. There are medical, financial and emotional issues. We can help them with this."

Simple things like changing a tub into a walk-in shower can make the difference between a 17-year-old boy being dependent on his mother to take a shower to complete dignity and independence. These are designs that change lives.

To apply for a home evaluation or to make a donation, visit Homefreehome.org. Or call 516-883-0403.